COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
QUESTION NO. 2
QUESTION: Councillor J. Sinnott
To ask the Chief Executive what additional measures are being undertaken by South Dublin County Council to address the impact of heavy rainfall and storms in the Rathfarnham/Templeogue/Firhouse/Bohernabreena areas.
REPLY:
The National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was a comprehensive national study initiated by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in collaboration with Local Authorities and supported by external consultants. This programme identified and mapped both existing and potential flood risks in specific areas that were considered to be at significant risk from flooding, referred to as Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs). As part of its remit, the CFRAM Programme produced detailed flood risk maps and identified a range of structural and non-structural measures to manage the assessed risks within each AFA at a national scale. The outcomes and recommended management strategies were compiled into a series of 29 'Flood Risk Management Plans' published in 2018.
The OPW and South Dublin County Council (SDCC) are working together to implement the schemes arising from the CFRAM Programme, in line with the recommendations outlined in the 'Flood Risk Management Plans'. Several flood alleviation schemes (FAS) are currently underway.
- The River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) is presently at the construction stage. Significant components of this scheme have been completed, including the development of a new attenuation area in Tymon Park. This new infrastructure proved effective during Storm Chandra, helping to mitigate downstream impacts and resulting in substantially lower water flows into the Kimmage and Harolds Cross areas.
- The Whitechurch Stream FAS is also currently under construction.
- The River Camac FAS is at the design stage.
Several additional schemes are being considered for future implementation which include the following that are relevant to Rathfarnham, Templeogue, Bohernabreena and Firhouse areas:
- Future phases of the River Dodder scheme: Phase 3 will cover Clonskeagh to Orwell Road, with Phase 4 planned for the SDCC area
- Owendoher FAS
- Shinkeen FAS
- Chapelizod FAS (from Lucan to Chapelizod), a project being led by Dublin City Council under a Framework for Consultancy Services
- Griffeen FAS.
Regular updates on both current and planned flood alleviation schemes are provided to the Environment, Public Realm, and Climate Change Strategic Policy Committee (SPC). In addition, these schemes are included in SDCC’s Capital Programme updates, which are shared with Councillors.
Further details regarding ongoing, completed, and future flood relief schemes managed by the OPW can be accessed online at www.floodinfo.ie/scheme-info
To enhance the ongoing monitoring of flood risk throughout the county, SDCC’s Natural Water division is exploring the installation of additional river level gauges at key strategic locations along local rivers. These gauges may be further upgraded through the integration of still cameras and alarms on the river screens to provide real-time data and alerts.
Met Eireann has announced ongoing work to develop a more localised weather warning system, set to replace county-wide alerts by the end of the year. This new system aims to deliver more targeted emergency preparedness, focusing on those most at risk. Local Authorities and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management will contribute to the development of this approach.